E-track tie down system for a vehicle cargo bed

ABSTRACT

A vehicle includes a truck bed side panel, a docking plate, an E-track, and a clamp. The truck bed side panel has a top surface, a side surface, and an overhang extending from the top surface. The docking plate is secured to the side surface and defines a keyway. A keyed protuberance extends from the E-track. The keyed protuberance engages the keyway and secures the E-track to the docking plate. The clamp extends from the E-track and engages the overhang to secure the E-track to the side panel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to tie systems configured to secure loadsbeing transported within pickup truck beds.

BACKGROUND

In order to prevent loads from shifting or falling out of a truck bedduring transportation, tie down systems may be utilized to secure a loadthat is being transported within the truck bed.

SUMMARY

A vehicle includes a truck bed side panel, a docking plate, an E-track,and a clamp. The truck bed side panel has a top surface, a side surface,and an overhang extending from the top surface. The docking plate issecured to the side surface and defines a keyway. A keyed protuberanceextends from the E-track. The keyed protuberance engages the keyway andsecures the E-track to the docking plate. The clamp extends from theE-track and engages the overhang to secure the E-track to the sidepanel.

An E-track system includes a longitudinally extending track, a keyedprotuberance, and a clamp. The longitudinally extending track defines anarray of slots that are configured to receive accessory attachments. Thekeyed protuberance extends from the track and is configured to engage akeyway defined by a docking plate in order to secure the E-track systemto the docking plate. The clamp extends from the track and is configuredto engage an overhang of a truck bed side panel to secure the E-tracksystem to the side panel.

A vehicle includes a cargo bed floor, a pair of side panels, dockingplates, a pair of E-tracks, and clamps. The pair of side panels extendupward from the cargo bed floor. Each of the side panels has topsurfaces, internal side surfaces, and overhangs extending from the topsurfaces. The docking plates are secured to each of the internal sidesurfaces and define keyways. Keyed protuberances extend from each of thepair of E-tracks. The keyed protuberances engage the keyways and securethe E-tracks to the docking plates. The clamps extend from the E-tracksand engage the overhangs to secure E-tracks to the pair of side panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a cargo or truck bed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a standard interface plate;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the truck bed having an E-track systemsecured thereto;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to beunderstood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examplesand other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. Thefigures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggeratedor minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand,various features illustrated and described with reference to any one ofthe figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or moreother figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustratedor described. The combinations of features illustrated providerepresentative embodiments for typical applications. Variouscombinations and modifications of the features consistent with theteachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particularapplications or implementations.

Attaching E-track systems to trucks may require drilling holes andremoving other material from the truck bed in order to properly securean E-track system to the truck bed. Drilling holes and/or removingmaterial from the sheet metal that the truck bed is made from maycompromise the integrity of the truck bed structure. The E-track systemdisclosed herein includes a robust solution for attaching the E-tracksystem to a pickup truck bed without drilling into the sheet metalstructure of the bed. Furthermore, the system utilizes the strength ofthe truck bed side panels to provide support to for the E-track system.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is illustrated. The vehicle 10 may bea truck that includes a cargo or truck bed 12. The truck bed 12 mayinclude a first side panel 14 and a second side panel 16. The truck bed12 may also include a truck bed floor 18 (which may also be referred toas a cargo bed floor), a headboard panel 19, and a tailgate (not shown).The first side panel 14 and second side panel 16 may extend upward fromthe truck bed floor 18. The components of the truck bed 12, includingthe first side panel 14, second side panel 16, floor 18, headboard panel19, and tailgate, may be made from a sheet metal material, including butnot limited to, steel sheet or an aluminum alloy sheet. The first sidepanel 14 and second side panel 16 may have top surfaces 20 that definestake pockets 22. The stake pockets 22 are through holes that extendthrough the top surfaces 20. Portions of the first side panel 14 andsecond side panel 16 (which may be referred as overhangs 24) may extendaway and then downward from the top surfaces 20 of the first and secondside panels, towards the truck bed floor 18. The first and second sidepanels 14, 16 include internal side surfaces 26 that face towards theinterior of the truck bed 12 and external side surfaces 28 that facetowards the exterior of the truck bed 12.

It may be desirable to tie down cargo at different locations within thecargo bed 12 during transit based on the size and shape of theparticular cargo. A plurality of fixed plates 30 may be affixed atvarious location of the truck bed 12 to provide a number of differentsecuring points for different cargo. In at least one embodiment,standard-sized fixed plates 30 are provided at several locations on oneor more of the truck bed floor panel 18, first side panel 14, secondside panel 16, truck bed floor 18, headboard panel 19, and tailgate. Inalternative embodiments, the fixed plate 30 may be an elongate trackhaving a number of different secure points along its length.

Referring to FIG. 2, an example of a standard-sized fixed plate 30 isdepicted. The standard-sized fixed plate 30 may alternatively bereferred to as a docking plate. As discussed above, each of a number offixed plates may define standard dimensions to accommodate modularconnections using interchangeable components. In the example of FIG. 2,the fixed plate 30 is secured to a vertical wall 32, for example such asthe internal side surfaces 26 of the first side panel 14 or second sidepanel 16. The fixed plate 30 includes a pair of opposing mountingflanges 34 that are secured to the vertical wall 32. An offset section36 is provided between, and interconnects the opposing mounting flanges34. The offset section 36 is positioned at a distance away from thevertical wall 32 to provide a gap 38. In this way, a number of differentdevices can be mechanically retained to the offset section 36 byextending into the gap 38 and engaging a back surface of the offsetsection 36. In one example, a hole (or keyway) 40 is provided near acenter portion of the offset section. The hole 40 may be shaped toreceive a locking feature from an interfacing component to retain to thefixed plate 30. In other examples, an interfacing component may besecured to an upper edge 42 and/or a lower edge 44 of the fixed plate30.

Referring to FIG. 3, the truck bed 12 is illustrated. E-track systems orsimply E-tracks 46 may be secured to the first side panel 14 and secondside panel 16. Specifically, the E-tracks 46 may be connected to the tothe first side panel 14 and second side panel 16 via the fixed plates30. The E-tracks 46 may consist of longitudinally extending tracks thatdefine an array of slots 48 that are configured to receive and an arrayof E-track accessories. Among numerous others, the E-track accessoriesmay include anchors, tie down rings, straps, rope tie-offs, and socketsconfigured to receive various objects (such as crossbeams). The variousaccessories may include or may be configured to receive straps, ropes,tie-downs, etc., in order secure a load that is disposed within thetruck bed 12. The E-track accessories may include hooks or releasablelatching mechanisms that engage the E-tracks 46 proximate to the arrayof slots 48 in order to secure various accessories to the E-track 46. Atleast one clamp may also be secured to the E-tracks 46. The clamps mayprotrude from the backside of the E-track 46 and are therefore notvisible in FIG. 3. The clamps are depicted and described in furtherdetail in FIG. 4. The clamps may also be configured to engage the firstside panel 14 and second side panel 16 to secure the E-tracks 46 to thefirst side panel 14 and second side panel 16. Specifically, the clampsmay be configured to secure the E-track 46 to the overhangs 24 of thefirst side panel 14 and second side panel 16. Side panel top covers 50may also be secured to the first side panel 14 and second side panel 16.Specifically, the top covers 50 may be secured to the top surfaces 20 ofthe first side panel 14 and second side panel 16. The E-tracks 46 mayfurther be secured to the top covers 50.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the truck bed 12 and a cross-section of thetruck bed 12 taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 are illustrated. Clamps 52extend from the E-track 46 and engage the second side panel 16 to securethe E-track 46 to the second side panel 16. The clamps 52 may beC-clamps. The clamps 52 may include clamping bolts 54 that engage anunderside 56 of the overhang 24 to secure the E-track 46 to the secondside panel 16. The clamping bolts 54 may be threaded into tapped holes58 that are defined within the clamps 52. The clamping bolts 54 may alsoinclude the head portions 60 that engage the underside 56 of theoverhang 24. The head portions 60 may be made from a soft plastic orrubber material. Tabs 62 that define apertures or through holes 64 mayextend upward from the E-track 46. The top covers 50 may define tappedholes 66 that are configured to align with the through holes 64 definedby the tabs 62. The E-track 46 may be secured to the top cover 50 byfasteners 68 that pass through the through holes 64 and are threadedinto the tapped holes 66. The through holes 64 may be countersunk holesand the fasteners 68 may be countersunk fasteners. Each tab 62 may havea corresponding and clamp 52 to provide local rigidity between thesecond side panel 16, E-track 46, and corresponding top cover 50.

The top covers 50 may define slots 70 that are configured to receive atonneau cover. The tonneau cover may be secured to a pair of top covers50 by engaging the slots 70 in the pair of top covers 50. The tonneaucover may include hooks, clasps, catches, or other mechanisms thatengage the slots 70. The top covers 50 may also define T-slots 72 thatare configured to receive T-nuts in order to mount a variety ofaccessories to the top covers 50.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the truck bed 12 and a cross-section of thetruck bed 12 taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3 is illustrated. Keyedprotrusions or keyed protuberances 74 may extend from the E-track 46 andengage the holes (or keyways) 40 in the fixed plates 30 to secure theE-track 46 to the fixed plates 30 and the second side panel 16. Thekeyed protuberances 74 may be affixed to and extend from gussets 76 thatextend from the E-track 46, below the overhang 24, and towards theinternal side surface 26 of the second side panel 16. The keyedprotuberances 74 may include latches 78 that engage the fixed plates 30proximate to the holes 40 in order to secure the keyed protuberances 74to the fixed plates 30. The latches 78 may include actuators 80 thattransition the latches 78 between engaged positions 82 and disengagedpositions 84. The actuators 80 may be levers, push buttons, or someother mechanism that is capable of transitioning a latch 78 between theengaged position 82 and the disengaged position 84 to facilitateinstallation or removal of the E-track 46 to the fixed plates 30. Whilein the engaged positons 82, the latches 78 engage back surfaces 86 ofthe offset sections 36 of the fixed plates 30 to prevent the keyedprotuberances from slipping out of the holes 40. Other mechanisms, suchas ratchets, biasing elements, levers, and pivoting components may beutilized to transition the latches 78 between the engaged positions 82and the disengaged positions 84. In the alternative, the latches 78 mayengage the back surfaces 86 of the offset sections 36 of the fixedplates 30 proximate to the upper edges 42 and/or the lower edges 44.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, the truck bed 12 and a cross-section ofthe truck bed 12 taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3 are illustrated. Plugs87 may be received within the stake pockets 22 and apertures (orreceptacles) 88 defined by the top covers 50, when the take pockets 22and apertures are in alignment, to prevent the top covers 50 fromslipping relative to the first side panel 14 and second side panel 16.The plugs 87 may include bullrings 90 that are configured to receivestraps, ropes, tie-downs, etc., to secure a load that is disposed withinthe truck bed 12. The plugs 87 may or may not include accessories suchas bullrings 90. The plugs 87 may include top portions 92 that aredisposed within and engage the apertures 88 in the top covers 50 andbottom portions 94 that are disposed within and engage the stake pockets22 in the side panels. The top portions 92 and bottom portions 94 of theplugs 87 may be secured to each other by one or more fasteners 96. Oneof the top portion 92 and bottom portion 94 of the plugs 87 may have athrough hole while the other has a tapped hole. The through hole may bea countersunk hole and the fastener 96 may be a countersunk fastener.

The E-track system and the corresponding components (e.g., clamps 52,tabs 62, gussets 76, keyed protuberances 74, latches 78, et al.) weredescribed above mainly with respect to the second side panel 16.However, it should be understood that an E-track system, including someor all of the components described above, could also be secured to thefirst side panel 14 in the same manner. It should be further understood,that the E-track system that is secured to the first side panel 14 is amirror image of the E-track system secured to the second side panel 16.

The words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Aspreviously described, the features of various embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not beexplicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments couldhave been described as providing advantages or being preferred overother embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one ormore desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the artrecognize that one or more features or characteristics may becompromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which dependon the specific application and implementation. As such, embodimentsdescribed as less desirable than other embodiments or prior artimplementations with respect to one or more characteristics are notoutside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particularapplications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle comprising: a truck bed side panelhaving a top surface, a side surface, and an overhang extending from thetop surface; a docking plate secured to the side surface and defining akeyway; an E-track having a keyed protuberance extending therefrom, theprotuberance engaging the keyway and securing the E-track to the dockingplate; and a clamp extending from the E-track and engaging the overhangto secure the E-track to the side panel.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1,wherein the protuberance includes a latch that engages the docking plateproximate to the keyway to secure the protuberance to the docking plate.3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the latch includes an actuator thattransitions the latch between engaged and disengaged positions tofacilitate installation of the E-track to the docking plate.
 4. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the keyed protuberance is secured to agusset that extends from the E-track, below the overhang, and towardsthe side surface of the side panel.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a top cover secured to the top surface of the side panel andwherein the E-track is secured to the top cover via fasteners passingthrough apertures defined by the E-track and threaded into tapped holesdefined by the top cover.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the sidepanel defines a stake pocket, the top cover defines a receptacle that isin alignment with the stake pocket, and a plug is disposed within thestake pocket and receptacle to prevent slippage of the top cover.
 7. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the clamp includes a clamping bolt engagingan underside of the overhang to secure the E-track to the side panel. 8.A vehicle comprising: a cargo bed floor; a pair of side panels extendingupward from the floor, each of the side panels having a top surface, aninternal side surface, and an overhang extending from the respective topsurface; docking plates secured to each of the internal side surfacesand defining keyways; a pair of E-tracks having keyed protuberancesextending therefrom, the protuberances engaging the keyways and securingthe E-tracks to the docking plates; and clamps extending from theE-tracks and engaging the overhangs to secure E-tracks to the pair ofside panels.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the protuberancesinclude latches that engage the docking plates proximate to the keywaysto secure the protuberances to the docking plates.
 10. The vehicle ofclaim 9, wherein the latches include actuators that transition thelatches between engaged and disengaged positions to facilitateinstallation of the E-tracks onto the docking plates.
 11. The vehicle ofclaim 8, wherein the keyed protuberances are secured to gussets thatextend from the E-tracks, below the overhangs, and toward the sidesurfaces of the side panels.
 12. The vehicle of claim 8, furthercomprising top covers that are secured to the top surfaces of the sidepanels and wherein the E-tracks are secured to the top covers viafasteners passing through apertures defined by the E-tracks and threadedinto tapped holes defined by the top covers.
 13. The vehicle of claim12, wherein the side panels define stake pockets, the top covers definereceptacles that are in alignment with the stake pockets, and plugs aredisposed within the stake pockets and receptacles to prevent slippage ofthe top covers.
 14. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the clamps includeclamping bolts engaging undersides of the overhangs to secure theE-tracks to the side panels.